Category Archives: Teen Book Reviews

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs the second novel in the Miss Peregrine School for Peculiar Children series takes the crew of peculiar children on a journey to save their beloved headmistress Miss Peregrine who was trapped in the body of a bird after being kidnapped by Wights.

This novel introduces the reader to the world of peculiar animals and more peculiar children who are fighting to survive after Wights and Hollows have started to take over the loops created to protect them. This book has a lot more action and twists than the first. It all helps to keep it interested to the last page as I kicked myself for not having the next book on hand so I could start reading it!

It’s senior year and Keeley Hewitt has her heart set on kissing Jessie Ford, a boy she’s had a crush on since the 6th grade. The only problem is that their hometown of Aberdeen has been constantly flooded by a swelling river and an apocalyptic downpour of constant rain showers.

Things start to go her way after Keeley and her friends are called in volunteer to stack sandbags in hopes of stopping the river. Keeley and Jessie end up next to each other in the assembly line and the flirting begins although Keeley has no idea what to make of it, after all Jessie Ford is the cutest boy in the senior class and she’s pretty much invisible.

Without giving too much away this is a story about young romance and a story about self-discovery. I found this story very exciting an it tugged at my heart-strings. With so much of the summer still left why not add this one to your summer reading list.

Just in case you are interested in writing a spoken word poem for the competition I have included the guidelines because there is a video required for the submission.

Guidelines

Two (2) to three (3) written poems. Total written materials not to exceed 10 pages.

Separate video performance for each poetry submission.

Submissions must be in English. If words or phrases in another language are used, translations must be included in the written portion.

NOTE: If selected as a Finalist, you will be required to perform your submitted materials live for the panel during YoungArts Week.

Guidelines for Recording your Video Audition

Props are limited to one stool, two chairs, and one table.

Use a fixed point of view for your camera with you being the main focus. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location. Do not pan or move the camera.

Record your audition in a clearly defined interior space.

The back drop should be a neutral color that is free of creases, breaks and distractions.

Background music or sound tracks of any kind are not permitted.

Before recording your pieces, film a test. Perform the first few lines of your piece, then watch and listen to it on playback. Check the following important things:

Sound: Make sure the acoustics in the room are strong. Practice your piece in the space. If you hear an echo in playback, adjust the recording volume or choose someplace else to record. Utilize only the microphone on the video camera. Do not use a hand held microphone.

Lighting: Make sure the space is well-lit, but not too bright. Judges should be able to see your face clearly.

Framing: The camera should be set at a distance to frame your face and body clearly.

Clothing: Wear clothing that is simple, comfortable and tasteful. And remember, your clothing should never be more interesting than your audition.

Written content:

Do not submit research papers, book reports or specific class assignments.

Be sure to keep a copy of your work for your files.

Type, formatting may reflect the intention of the author.

Please include page numbers.

Proofread your entire submission.

Uploading submission:

Uploaded documents must be Word or PDF files.

Each piece should be saved as a separate file and uploaded individually.

List the title of the work in the space provided.

When uploading, verify that the image is upright (not sideways) and plays smoothly.

Save and name your files with their titles and upload each selection separately.

Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your submission.

Please do not do any of the following to your video as it may disqualify you:

Do not edit within a piece.

Do not use special effects, dissolves, fades or wipes.

Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions.

Intellectual Property and Copyright Requirements

All submitted work must be wholly original and may not infringe upon the copyright or other intellectual property or other legal or moral rights of any other person or entity.

Generation One by Pittacus Lore is a new series that was based on the I am Number Four series. This series continues the story of the Human Guard, humans who were given Loriac powers after the Monadorians invaded Earth. The only person from the original series is Nine, although there was a brief appearance of Four and I have a feeling that he will show up again.

This series feels a lot like X-Men. Children now have special powers and the children are outcasts who people want to contain or use. The main characters of this series are Taylor, a girl from the Mid-West who is a healer, Kopane, a Nigerian teenager who has superhuman strength and telekinesis, Isabella, a Brazilian shape-shifter, Ran, a young Japanese girl who can create explosives, and Caleb, a military brat who can duplicate himself.

Although I liked the series I was a bit concerned with these characters being stereotypes. Kopane came from a family where his father was using his powers to help others commit crimes, and Ran is portrayed as a quiet, passive girl. Isabella is a sexy flirt who shows interest in several boys.

The series does have lots of excitement and in the end, I couldn’t put it down because I really cared about the characters and gratefully soon saw the stereotypes dissolve as the characters became more developed. I can’t wait for the next book.

We still have a lot of vacation time remaining to write our books. I just finished reading The Wicked Girls by Alex Marwood. I haven’t reviewed the novel because it’s not YA. The book centers the lives of two women who as children killed a little girl. They later on meet as adults after being separated for 25 years and discover than their lives are switched. One girl was from an affluent family, the other poor but after serving time they find that each is living the other’s life.

What if you had a childhood friend who you shared a secret with? What’s the secret? And what happens when that secret is revealed?

I am reading The Last Boy and Girl in the Worldby Siobhan Vivian. It’s about a young girl’s whose town is being evacuated after a dam breaks and covers everything under water. It’s also a love story. I’ll let you know how it is after I finish.

I decided that after two hours of working on my own book I’ll treat myself by reading someone’s else’s book. When I return from my Va-K on July 6th then it’ll be after four hours of writing. What are your summer reads and writing goals? # teen books, # writers, # teen writers

I just finished reading Champion by Marie Lu. It’s the final book in the Prodigy series. I thought the series was over after Day discovered that he was dying at the end of the last book. He also broke it off with June, the lover of his life. In this book June is working with Arden, their country’s leader and it’s clear that Arden, the handsome young leader wants more with June. The only thing that stands in his way is Day.

This book begins with Day and June leading separate lives. Day’s text is red while June’s is black. The story is told seamlessly by their point of views. The big war between the colonies finally erupts leaving them having to fight and risk a lot in order to save the ones they love and their country.

There’s lots of action in their #teen book. It was a great book! I think you’ll enjoy it.

I always enjoy reading the very first sentence in a novel. First words set the tone and allows us at the peek into the world that we’ve ben invited in. Below are the first words of a novel. Who is the character? What does she mean? Does she mean that the people she’s recounting are dead? What if they aren’t? What if they are not dead but gone? Write about the world of this character and what happens when she id gone too.

I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t. Blake is gone. Gunner is gone. Tish is gone. And soon I will be gone too…

I just finished reading The Young Elites by Marie Yu. The novel is set in a time when swords are the weapon of choice and young girls are forced to wed by arranged marriages, and a families worth can be diminished when one of its members is considered a curse. The story beings long after the protagonist, Adelina has been cursed after she’s infected by an illness that killed many people throughout the world while leaving the survivors with “special powers”. The survivors are called “malfrettos” a cursed group of people that society fears and worships.

All Adelina wants is her father’s love but her father just sees her as the resaon for her faily’s misfortunes. He sets up and arrangement with a wealthy man from town who plans on using her for her powers. Adelina escapes and is froced to face the dangers that her uncontroled powers release to those around her. Adelina soon teams up a group of malfrettos called the Daggers, a rebel force that uses their powers to fight back against their oppresors. but even finds live with them complicated as she reveals the uncontrolable powers she poccesses.

The Young Elites is a complicated story with an intriguing protagonist. it has romance and great plot twists which will leaveyou wanting more. It’s part of a series and I can’t wait to read the next book.

Thanks to everyone who submitted their writing on the Your Words page. I really enjoyed reading your work! Keep writing and when you’re ready enter your work into a competition. Take a chance. Good luck and happy writing.